The Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government is facing a legal notice from a Swiss company, SKAAH GmbH, for alleged non-payment of ₹1.58 crore in hospitality and catering dues related to the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland. According to reports by news agency PTI, the notice, dated August 28, claims that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has failed to settle the outstanding amount owed to the firm.
The notice, which has been directed to several entities including the MIDC, the Chief Minister’s office, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and the WEF itself, states that the ₹1.58 crore represents the remaining balance after an initial payment of ₹3.75 crore was made by the MIDC. The Swiss firm has submitted proof, including invoices for services rendered during the WEF from January 15 to 19.
MIDC CEO P Velrasu stated that he was unaware of the legal notice but assured that the organization would review the vouchers and respond appropriately. He emphasized that the matter would be resolved based on its merits in due course.
State Industries Minister Uday Samant also addressed the allegations, asserting that there had been no overspending by the government. He attributed the negative remarks to opposition parties, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT), which have criticized the government for incurring high expenses during the Davos trip. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar expressed concern that the government’s handling of the situation could damage Maharashtra’s reputation on an international stage, particularly in attracting foreign investments.
The legal notice further details that while certain services were contracted for a specified number of delegation members, the actual number exceeded that limit. Despite this, SKAAH GmbH claims to have met all demands made by the delegation. The Swiss firm contends that the lack of payment has adversely affected its credit score and financial standing.
Additionally, the notice highlights that the unresolved payment issue could impact international relations between India and Switzerland, calling for a swift resolution to avoid further disputes or complications. The Swiss company claims to have made several attempts to contact MIDC representatives, which have reportedly gone unanswered, leading them to believe that the MIDC has deliberately neglected its payment obligations.
Sources By Agencies
